No-swim advisory issued for Nokomis Beach

The water at Nokomis Beach may be off limits this holiday weekend if a no-swim advisory is not rescinded by the Florida Department of Health this afternoon.

The advisory was issued Thursday afternoon, making it the second such advisory in Sarasota County in the last week.

The Florida Department of Health closed the beach to swimmers due to elevated levels of enterococci bacteria. The same bacteria forced frolickers out of Venice Beach's waters from June 26 to 28.

Signs advising the public not to enter the water at Nokomis Beach will remain in place until follow-up water testing results meet the Environmental Protection Agency recreational water safety standards. The results of follow-up testing will be available early this afternoon.

If the tests results are favorable, the advisory will be immediately lifted. But if the levels of bacteria are still too high, the earliest the beach will open is Tuesday.

A county response team has already ruled out sewage spills as the cause of the elevated bacteria levels for either advisory.

There’s also no evidence that the bacteria found at Venice Beach last week migrated to Nokomis Beach, said John Ryan, an environmental manager for Sarasota County.

But the cause of both abnormal bacteria levels is likely due to natural sources. The response team observed a higher than normal accumulation of marine algae along the shoreline which can be a source of bacteria, the DOH reported.

Recent rains could have also washed pollutants, including bacteria from bird and animal waste into local waterways. Bacteria levels can also be elevated by higher surf conditions which can churn up sand from and affect water quality.

“When these bacteria are detected in high concentrations in recreational waters, there is a risk that some people who swallow water while swimming or have contact with water entering the skin through a cut or sore may become ill with gastrointestinal illnesses, infections or rashes.” said Tom Higginbotham, a Florida Department of Health Environmental administrator. “This can be prevented by taking the appropriate precautions especially while the advisory is in effect.”

Shellfish such as crabs and shrimp collected in the immediate area of Nokomis Beach should not be consumed. However, it is safe to fish and consume fin-fish from these waters.

For more information on testing results, go to mote.org/beaches or ourgulfenvironment.scgov.net.